Westerville OH Wonder Brings Pet Passion to Pet Supplies Plus
Anna Leopold of Pet Supplies Plus in Westchester, OH has turned a childhood pet passion into a career she loves after taking top honors in Paragon’s Level 2 Pet Groomer program. Congratulations, Anna!
From Mentor Jen McCarthy: “Anna was such a pleasure to have as a student. She takes feedback gracefully and applies it to her work. She works hard with an awesome attention to detail. She asks questions when unsure of something and really pays attention to what I say.”
Why did you choose dog grooming as a career?
I have loved dogs since I was a little kid, & always knew I wanted a career where I was able to help dogs & their humans. I wasn’t entirely sure which route I should take until my own dogs, Ellie & Jake, sparked my interest in dog grooming. I love them both so much & started grooming them from the time they were puppies. Maintaining a regular grooming schedule with them is how I was able to spot Ellie’s abnormal-looking toenail, which turned out to be a nailbed melanoma. We went to the vet, had it removed & thankfully, since it was caught early, it hadn’t spread & was very low-grade. 2 years later & Ellie is still doing well & cancer free (knock on wood!).
After that, I realized I can help other people who may not have the time or tools to keep up with a grooming schedule on their own.
Being able to be creative, spend time with dogs, help their humans & make sure their dogs leave the salon looking & feeling better than they arrived is very rewarding for me. And I especially love helping anxious dogs overcome their fear of grooming. I believe patience & encouragement can go a long way in helping to create a positive experience for dogs!
What did you enjoy most during your coursework?
I enjoyed the detailed tutorials, videos & the support I received from my mentor & coach whenever I had questions.
Where can we see your work?
I’ll be posting more on the Pet Supplies Plus Westerville Facebook page soon 🙂
What are your future goals?
To be a successful dog groomer for many years to come!
Any advice for aspiring groomers?
Don’t give up when it gets difficult – instead, ask for support & ways to improve; learn as much as you can; be patient with yourself; get as much hands-on practice as possible.